Fig. 116 On steep slopes: always use the doors facing up the hill to get out of the vehicle.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Traversing a slope is one of the most dangerous offroad situations ⇒ .
It may look harmless, but you should not underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a
slope. A vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll when in this position. This can cause severe or fatal
injuries for all vehicle occupants.
Check whether you can use a safer route before driving across a slope.
If you have to drive at an angle, make sure the ground is as firm as possible. The vehicle is more
likely to slip and tip over on slippery or soft ground. Always make sure that the tilt angle does not
become too large due to uneven ground. The vehicle could otherwise tip over and start to roll.
When the vehicle is tilted at a large angle, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never
enter dips or hollows. The wheels on the higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for
example rocks, tree trunks or other obstacles.
If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator
slightly ⇒ Fig. 115 . If it is not possible to steer into the fall line, then steer uphill and depress the
accelerator slightly.
The centre of gravity of the vehicle should be as low as possible. The weight of all vehicle occupants
should be evenly distributed. People with a larger or heavier build should sit on the higher side of
the vehicle. Remove the roof carrier and secure heavy items. The vehicle could tip over if items were
to slide suddenly ⇒ .
WARNING
Never try to traverse a slope, particularly if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could slide
away, tip over or roll. Please note the following points in order to reduce the risk of accidents and
serious injuries:
You should never underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a slope. Never choose an
unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If you are in any doubt
about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way.
The vehicle can lose its grip when traversing a slope and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over
and roll down the hill.
The wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or hollows. The wheels on the
higher side of the vehicle must never drive over bumps, for example stones, tree trunks or other
obstacles.
Before traversing a slope, make sure that it is possible to steer into the fall line. Choose another
route if this is not guaranteed. If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line
and depress the accelerator slightly ⇒ Fig. 115 .
If the vehicle is stopped at a large tilt angle when traversing a slope, avoid sudden and uncontrolled
movements in the vehicle. The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over
and roll down the hill.
Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill when the vehicle
is stopped sideways on a slope with a large tilt angle to one side. This could cause the centre of
gravity to move to the side. The vehicle could then tip over or roll over and roll down the hill. To
avoid this, always leave the vehicle carefully on the side that is facing uphill ⇒ Fig. 116 .
When getting out the vehicle, make sure that the vehicle door which opens uphill does not close
with its own weight or through carelessness, thus potentially causing injury.
Driving through ditches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Check whether the ramp and tilt angles are small enough to drive through the ditch with the vehicle
⇒ .
If possible, drive through the ditch at an acute angle ⇒ .
The tilt angle must not become too large when driving through the ditch.
WARNING
Never drive through a ditch if the ramp and tilt angles are too steep for the vehicle and the ditch is
too deep. The vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll.
NOTICE
If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The underbody of your vehicle
could bottom, get stuck and be damaged. It is then almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite
having all-wheel drive.
Stuck vehicle
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒Introduction
Rocking free a vehicle requires training and feeling for the vehicle.
